What is a Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is the name used to refer to a group of natural triagonal borosilicates that can be found in a variety of different colors. Black Tourmaline, also called Schorl or Iron Tourmaline, forms in deeply colored opaque rods and may appear matte or slightly glossy depending on quality level. Since Tourmaline is often found growing through Quartz and Feldspar specimens, it can create an incredibly striking appearance, and stones of this nature are typically referred to as Tourmalinated or Tourmaline Rutilated. Black Tourmaline is indeed so prolific that it's expected as an inclusion in other beloved gemstones, such as Rainbow Moonstone or Sunstone.
Other colors of Tourmaline are just as highly prized for their beauty and metaphysical properties, and many trade names have been coined to help differentiate between the shade differences in Tourmaline group stones. The rainbow of Tourmaline stones includes names such as: Dravite, Brown Tourmaline, Rubellite, Pink Tourmaline, Elbaite, Verdelite, Green Tourmaline, Liddicoatite, Watermelon Tourmaline, Golden Tourmaline, Yellow Tourmaline, Lemon Tourmaline, Canary Tourmaline, Champagne Tourmaline, Paraiba Tourmaline, Indicolite, and the list goes on!
Black Tourmaline Meaning and Metaphysical Properties
Black Tourmaline is a stone associated with the Root Chakra, grounding, spiritual protection, and good luck. Black Tourmaline is often used in crystal healing, and is viewed as a shielding stone that repels negative energies, evil eyes, and malicious magic. Tourmaline stones also find their home in crystal grids, spell jars, and sensory bowls used during meditation, since Black Tourmaline is considered a supreme gemstone for soothing away stress, healing spiritual voids, and promoting future-oriented focus. Black Tourmaline is also known as a stone for manifestation, since it is believed to help us concentrate on bettering our situation and remain motivated for seeking positivity. Since it's such a protective crystal, Black Tourmaline is a magnificent choice to wear daily as a piece of gemstone jewelry, with many people choosing to place Black Tourmaline tumbled stones in a cage pendant or bottle amulet. Crystal bracelets are another great way to carry the spiritual meaning of Black Tourmaline with you, especially if you need a touch stone for grounding during stressful moments.
How to Cleanse Black Tourmaline Stone
Although Black Tourmaline is a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, raw crystal specimens may fleck or leave behind dust when handled roughly, especially along rough edges, because of the rod-like growth structure the gemstone typically follows. We always suggest a Selenite bowl or Full Moonlight exposure when it comes to charging and cleansing crystals, and Black Tourmaline is no exception even though the gem is widely considered to be water safe. Smoke Cleansing with Sage, Palo Santo, Incense, or dried herbs is another safe way to cleanse Black Tourmaline. We always advise these methods for any stones you are not sure about, since Selenite, the Full Moon, and Smoke Cleansing will not cause damage to your crystal gems.